Gliding Incident – 09 Nov 2022

Wed 9 November 2022, at about 2:50 pm QLD time, an Astir CS sailplane piloted by a Sunshine Coast Gliding Club pilot and an RAAus Kappa KP-2U Sova aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision, just South of Gympie aerodrome. The glider and aircraft crashed into a nearby paddock. Emergency Services attended the accident site.

Both the glider pilot and the powered aircraft pilot died in this tragic accident. The Gliding Australia community grieves the loss of Christopher “Bob” Turner, of Sunshine Coast Gliding Club at Gympie. We extend our sincere condolences to Bob’s family, friends and colleagues.
We also mourn for Barry Irvine, who flew the ultralight aircraft that was involved in the collision, South of Gympie aerodrome.

Club members and emergency services immediately responded, with valuable assistance in ground directions from an aerobatic aircraft in the area at the time. Gliding Australia and club officers are supporting Police, Coroner and ATSB in investigations into the flight history and causal factors surrounding the accident.

Gliding Australia and Sunshine Coast GC officers are supporting Police and Coronial authorities in their investigations into causal factors surrounding the accident, and accident responses. There are many unknown aspects to be assessed in this investigation.

Counselling, media and direct support to club members and family have also been provided. Club officials are also focused on member wellbeing and respectful support to affected families.

Colleagues in the Sunshine Coast Gliding Club, Caboolture and Gympie remember Bob as a gentleman, who helped many members gain their wings, gave joy to others through music and friendship, and built a sense of community in Queensland gliding clubs. Fly high, friend.

Steve Pegler
Gliding Australia President